Speakers:
Darin Foote, CHS Inc.
Chuck Johnston, Marathon Petroleum Corporation LP
Vidyashankar Kuppuraj, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Johnny Serafin, Phillips 66
Nic Tognetti, CHS Inc.
Advanced process control (APC) has been employed in FCC applications for 40 years. Despite the similarities of FCC Technology and APC platforms the success of these applications varies widely. In this session we will discuss common threads that lead to poor outcomes and how to build a successful APC program on a modern FCC.
Speakers:
Chris Harrison, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
This session will discuss the project development and workflow, implementation, and application maintenance of an Imubit DLPC that was used to reduce giveaway on drum cycles on a delayed coker unit. The DLPC was successful in reducing the number of cycles in which the target level was not achieved in the fixed cycle time period. This resulted in an overall reduction in the number of barrels given away in each cycle. The application has achieved great acceptance by Operations.
Participants will:
Gain an understanding of the Imubit DLPC application to reduce giveway on Coker Drum cycles
Gain an understanding of the workflow for an Imubit DLPC project
Gain an understanding of unique challenges and lessons learned from the project
Artificial Intelligence, Advanced Process Controls
Facilitator:
Atique Malik, AIControl LLC
Speaker:
Yangdong Pan, Delek US
Toni Adetayo, Imubit, Inc.
Multi-unit optimization has long been a complex issue in the oil and gas industry. Despite efforts using first-principle models or empirical approaches, challenges persist. However, the emergence of machine learning and AI technologies offers an alternative solution. In particular, AI-based process control technology has shown promise for multi-unit optimization. This session will delve into an example using a distillate system optimizer to understand how these AI models address large-scale optimization challenges and how parent and child models collaborate.
Participants will learn:
The strength of the technology and its high flexibility of handling core issues
How the technology deals with the availability of individual units, and cooperates with unit controllers from other advanced control technologies
How to sustain the technology’s performance and benefits
Facilitators:
Cliff Avery, Ketjen Corpotation
CJ Farley, TPM Solutions
1. Commercial Results of 100% Vegetable Oil Processing in an FCCU
Speaker: Andrea de Rezende Pinho, Petróleo Brasileiro S/A - PETROBRAS
In 2023, Petrobras and the Riograndense Refinery (RPR) successfully processed 100% vegetable oil in a Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) Unit. Petrobras' technology is based on three pillars: i) triglycerides, such as soybean oil used in the commercial test, ii) ReNewFCC line catalyst and iii) unique operating conditions compared to conventional FCCUs. Biogenic products such as renewable aromatic hydrocarbons (BTX - benzene, toluene and xylene), renewable LPG, and renewable propylene were produced during the commercial trial. Commercial yields, quality of the products, operational challenges and technical adaptations for the trial will be presented.
2. U.S. HEFA Co-processing – Past, Present, and Future Projects
Speaker: Eamon Cullinane, Turner, Mason & Company
HEFA co-processing at U.S. oil refineries has historically not seen the same success as standalone RD/SAF refinery conversions. So why has co-processing in the U.S. been limited in the past and why might we see more of it in the future? We will explore historical production levels of co-processing, economics vs standalone RD/SAF facilities, the regulatory landscape and credit incentives (RINs, BTC, CFPC/45Z, CA LCFS, etc.) driving these economics, and future prospects of co-processing in the U.S.
This session will focus on the increasing challenges posed by iron contamination of FCC catalysts and the latest industry efforts to better understand and mitigate iron contamination mechanisms. More specifically, this session will focus on recent advancements in laboratory testing and FCC catalysts and additives to help overcome iron contamination. Attendees will come away with a fundamental understanding of the key principles and latest solutions available to handle the widespread presence of iron in FCC feedstocks.
Moderator:
Andrew Mezera, Valero Energy Corporation
Presenters:
Jeremy Mayol, Johnson Matthey
Shankhamala Kundu, W.R. Grace & Co.
Successful turnarounds are crucial for the long term reliability and profitability of FCCs. This presentation offers process engineering best practices for FCC turnarounds including preparation, execution, and post start-up actions. Multiple topics will be discussed including scope determination, inspection protocols, equipment cleaning, project execution, documentation, and identifying future unit improvements.
Moderator:
Todd Hochheiser, Johnson Matthey
Speakers:
Nate Hager, Cenovus Energy Inc.
Herb Telidetzki, Becht
Canadian Refiner replaced the Shake Test with on-line UOP Mercaptide Sensors to monitor the extent of Merox caustic regeneration. Mercaptide Sensor use resulted in continuously trended data, reduced caustic exposure, and proactive process variable optimization, while vastly reducing off specification incidences and unnecessary bulk caustic replacements.
Units in the refinery are interconnected and operational changes to an upstream often create challenges for downstream units. We will review how normal and abnormal FCC operations impact Alky feeds. We will also discuss Alky feed specifications and the impact to acid consumption and alkylate quality.
Discussion of the basics of good data collection, appropriate methods for filtering data, database requirements and the supporting infrastructure for possible Machine Learning applications.